FIFA issue statement on postponing 2026 World Cup over US war with Iran

FIFA have issued a statement on postponing the 2026 World Cup amid the United States and Israel's attack on Iran.

The US and Israel launched a 'major combat operation' on Iran in the early hours of Saturday, February 28.

Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in an airstrike on his office in Tehran later on Saturday evening.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US and Israel military bases across the West Region in the Middle East, causing mass airspace closures across the region.

Iran have since appointed Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, as the new supreme leader, and have vowed to continue missile attacks.

US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has claimed that the war is 'very complete, pretty much' and ahead of schedule.

Donald Trump pictured (Image: Getty)

In the background, on a sporting level, is the upcoming set of inter-confederation World Cup play-offs - which feature Iraq as Asia's sole representative.

The Guardian reported last week that their play-off against either Bolivia or Suriname, due to take place in Mexico on March 31, was in doubt as many players and staff had yet to receive visas.

Several have been affected by the airspace closures in the Middle East.

Manager Graham Arnold, who is stranded in the United Arab Emirates, told AAP on Sunday: "Please help us with this game, because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq.

"In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly.

"Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US - the winner of that game stays on and the loser goes home.

Iraq manager Graham Arnold (right) has called on FIFA to delay the World Cup play-offs (Image: Getty)

"In my opinion, it also gives FIFA more time to decide what Iran is going to do. If Iran withdraws, we go into the World Cup, and it gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, the chance to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname."

Whether the play-off schedule is changed remains to be seen, but FIFA are definitive on the schedule for the World Cup proper.

FIFA's Chief Operating Officer, Heimo Schirgi, says he 'hopes' that all 48 qualified teams, including Iran, can participate, but added that the crisis in the Middle East will not affect their plans for June onwards.

"At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on obviously," he said (as per NBC 5 Dallas).

"The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified."